Lahore, Jan 26, 2026: Railway stations across Pakistan have increasingly become safe havens for children who run away from their homes due to various social and economic pressures.
In response, the Railway Police carried out extensive monitoring and recovery operations during the year 2025, successfully locating 658 runaway boys and girls and reuniting them with their families.
According to official records, the recovered children included 413 boys and 245 girls who had fled their homes and taken refuge at different railway stations across the country.
After being taken into protective custody, the children were provided with initial assistance, and following verification and legal formalities, they were safely handed over to their parents or legal guardians.
Age-wise data shows that most of the girls were between 15 and 18 years old, while the boys were aged 14 to 17 years, with a significant proportion of both boys and girls falling within the 12 to 15-year age group.
Investigations revealed that many of these children had left their homes due to difficult domestic conditions and were either attempting to reach relatives in other cities or living at railway stations without proper shelter or resources.
During preliminary inquiries, most children cited unemployment within the family, food insecurity, poverty, strict parental behavior, verbal abuse, forced labor, and domestic pressure as major reasons for fleeing their homes.
In addition, the influence of social media, romantic relationships, and the desire for a modern and improved lifestyle also played a significant role in motivating some children to run away.
Railway Police officials stated that railway stations are often targeted by runaway children due to easy access and anonymity, which exposes them to serious risks, including exploitation and abuse.